S.A. Sportsmen Speak Against Segregation

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32312, 2 June 1970, Page 1

S.A. Sportsmen Speak Against Segregation

(N .Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

JOHANNESBURG, June 1.

Leading South Africans in three sports—the golfer, Gary Player, the test cricketer, P. Pollock, and Mr A. Chalmers, president of the South African Tennis Union—have spoken out against segregation in sport.

Player said that black and white golfers should be allowed to develop together in South Africa.

- In an article in the “Sunday Tribute”, an independent English-language paper, Player,

who has just returned from the United States, said that if the Asian golfer, Papwa Sewgolum, was a better golfer, he should represent South Africa in the World Cup.

“If you have talent and aren’t allowed to use it, it’s like being in gaol," he said. The Government’s policy of rrcial separation, which bans racially integrated sports in South Africa, has been under extensive debate since the English Cricket Council, under pressure from the British Government, called off

the tour of Britain by the South African cricket team. Leaders in sport, who occupy a special place in South Africa, are pressing for a meeting with administrators to discuss the whole question of inter-racial sports. The Minister of Sport (Mr Waring) last week criticised the rigidity of the Government's policy on sports, leading to speculation

that he might be shifted from his post. Player said that during his American tour he had received death threats from Black Panthers.

“It was no joke to stand before 100,000 people constantly reminded of the death threats,” he said. “Not for a single moment was I without a guard. They ate, slept and drove with me wherever I went.”

But generally, he said, the American people were exceptionally kind. His advice to South Africans competing overseas was: “Turn the other cheek and make the strongest effort to behave well.” Pollock Condemns Pollock spoke out in favour of multi-racial sport in South Africa and condemned the Government’s “dogmatic attitude” which, he said, showed they were prepared to see international sport become a thing of the past. In an interview with the Johannesburg "Sunday Times,” Pollock, the elder of, the two cricketing brothers, said he was convinced there would ultimately be sport j without restriction in South Africa.

He urged all sportsmen who genuinely felt there should be some sort of multiracial sport to say so.

He felt there should be a mixed competition, and claimed he was supported by other sportsmen including Player, and the tennis players, C. Drysdale and R. Moore.

“Growing Opinion”

Pollock said: “It is my sincere belief that there is a growing body of sports opinion—which like me, is not politically inspired .that echoes my sentiments.

“I speak as a true-blooded sportsman with no political affiliations,” Pollock said. “I’m sticking my neck out all the way. I feel the Gov-

ernment owes something to people who play sport in this country.

“The Government’s dogmatic attitude shows that they are prepared to see international sport become' a thing of the past. I am convinced that ultimately sport without restriction will be the winner.

“Nothing to my mind has damaged the interests of sport in South Africa” more than the uncompromising attitude of the Minister of Sport in rejecting the possibility of sportsmen discussing aspects of interracial sports, or some other solution to make us more acceptable to the rest of the world. “Sports isolation stares South Africa in the face, and to creep back into the laager is no answer,” Pollock said. South Africa’s international tennis participation may , be the next victim in world-wide moves against South African sportsmen, the National Tennis Union president, Mr A. Chalmers, said. “Must Change” “South Africa must change its outlook as regards interi national sport. If the attitude lis not broadened we will not |be able to save anything,” j said Mr Chalmers, who will | head a South African Lawn [Tennis Union delegation to a [Paris meeting of the Interi national Lawn Tennis Federation in July. “There is a definite danger we will be kicked out," he said, calling on sport administrators of all races to I meet to discuss desegregation of sport. “Total integration of sport must come whether the Government likes it or not,” he said.

Apartheid sports policies have already caused South Africa's expulsion from the 1970 Davis Cup. The South African Hockey Union said yesterday that it had called off an invitation to a West German men’s hockey team which was to have visited here in August. The! union did not explain the can-i collation.